Earning the right to be Brilliant

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm currently a student doing my A levels. And this has led to me thinking a lot about the exam system and the way it all works, especially after last night. For last night was parents evening (yes, we still have parents evenings in sixth form) and the major feedback that I got was "State the obvious". My English teacher summed it up best saying that what I was doing was brilliant but that I had to "Earn the right to be brilliant"

Whilst I understand that it's not them who control things, and I am quite happy to try to down whatever stylistic problems I have, I do have a problem with the philosophy behind it which seems to be emanating from the exam board. "You have to Earn the Right to be Brilliant"? you have to "earn" the right to achieve? You can't just do the best that you can you have to earn the right to do it? Want to make a contribution to society? Well first you have to earn the right to do your best for society

Whilst this annoys me about the exam system I don't really care too much on the basis that it doesn't affect me for much longer, as within the year I will be off at University (as long as I don't screw this one up) and I am assured that one has a lot more freedom there. Once you are at University you have earned the right to be brilliant. But I am very worried that this is an issue that will be emerging from the Big Society.

Those of you who know anything of my politics may well have just spat your tea across the room, so pick up your jaws and let me explain. I believe that the Big Society is an idea which must, for the sake of everyone in this country, succeed. But I fear that it is being stopped by the same philosophy which is frustrating my a levels. "You have to earn the right to be brilliant". You can be a gifted Doctor, a talented Teacher or maybe you are just willing to lend a hand with your local charity. And that's marvellous, and thank you. Thank you so much. But you can't. Not yet. You can't just be brilliant, you have to "earn" the right to be brilliant. Sorry

I'm not saying this is as a result of Government cuts. I've not been "marching for the alternative" because I'm not sure I can see an alternative. But what I can see is regulation, bureaucracy and other hidden obstructions preventing people from helping to build the Big Society, maybe from even wanting to build the Big Society. And I'm not saying I know what should be done to stop this, but something has to be